Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Wild Journey For Steelers' 2020 Draft Bust Chase Claypool Continues As He Lands On Injured Reserve

Originally posted on Steeler Nation | By Parker Abate | Last updated Aug 13, 2024 10:05 AM ET

The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a very successful 21st century when it comes to drafting play-makers at the wide receiver position. Antonio Brown highlights the impressive list of selections, and is arguably the second-best sixth-round pick of all time. Fans truly believed in 2020 that the next great pass-catcher had come to the Steel City. Chase Claypool was drafted with the team's first pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. This came in round two due to trading the first-rounder to the Miami Dolphins for Minkah Fitzpatrick.

The wideout has been a journeyman since Omar Khan traded him to the Chicago Bears in 2022. After a stellar rookie season that saw him score a total of 11 touchdowns, he never quite found his footing. He was scheduled to take on his former team as a member of the Buffalo Bills in Week 2 of the preseason. Unfortunately for him, his career continues to spiral in the wrong direction.

Among a flurry of moves, the #Bills have placed WR Chase Claypool on injured reserve.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 13, 2024

Claypool had just eight receptions in 2023 as a member of the Bears and Dolphins. He has been dealing with a toe injury since the beginning of training camp. This move essentially ends his season with Buffalo before it even started. He could sign elsewhere later on, but an injury settlement from the Bills would be necessary for him to have the freedom to sign elsewhere.

With the Bills, pretty much. Assuming he’s healthy in the relatively near future, he can be released with an injury settlement and sign elsewhere.
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) August 13, 2024

It keeps getting worse for the once-promising receiver from Notre Dame. It becomes increasingly more like as each season passes that he finds himself playing in a football league a little bit closer to where he is originally from. He was looked at as a bright prospect, but has since fizzled out and it will be tough for him to find a permanent home at the professional level.

Steelers And Khan Swindled Bears In Trade Involving Claypool

Khan moved on from Claypool at the perfect time. Claypool still appeared as if he had a high ceiling, and the Bears were willing to give up a 2023 second-round pick for him. This ultimately ended up being the first pick in round two, which Pittsburgh used to draft Joey Porter Jr. No one anywhere can question which franchise came out on top in regards to the deal. Khan is looking to keep up his incredible trade reputation and lock in a deal with the San Francisco 49ers to land Brandon Aiyuk.

This article first appeared on SteelerNation.com and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: